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| United States Patent |
5,690,595
|
|
Quinones
|
November 25, 1997
|
Belt with protruding elastic bands connected to hand weights
Abstract
An exercise device to be used while walking for exercising the back,
abdominal, chest, shoulders, arms, hands, buttocks and leg muscles while
walking. A first preferred embodiment of the device includes a elastic
neoprene rubber belt having a first and second pair of metal O-rings sewn
onto the left and right sides respectively of the belt and approximately
16 long latex hoses attached to each pair. The opposite loose ends of
hoses have third and fourth pairs of metal O-rings sewn thereon attached
to cylindrical neoprene rubber covers that house a pair of coaxial weights
therein. The second embodiment of the device has a T-cross-sectional
shaped weight formed by a cylindrical plastic body and an enlarged end cap
for fitting within a user's hands and through-holes for tieing. A third
embodiment uses alternating hollow cylindrical weights of 1 and 2 lbs
each, where each weight has identical outside dimensions. The lengths of
the elastic hoses can be varied depending upon the arm swinging of the
user.
| Inventors:
|
Quinones; Juan A. (511 NW. 108th Ter., Pembroke Pines, FL 33026)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
762326 |
| Filed:
|
December 9, 1996 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
482/124; 482/74; 482/105 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A63B 021/02 |
| Field of Search: |
482/105,106,108,124,125,126,121,74
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4441707 | Apr., 1984 | Bosch.
| |
| 4623143 | Nov., 1986 | Wuellenweber | 482/105.
|
| 4627618 | Dec., 1986 | Schwartz | 482/105.
|
| 4647037 | Mar., 1987 | Donohue.
| |
| 4684122 | Aug., 1987 | Desmone et al.
| |
| 4722523 | Feb., 1988 | Yang | 482/126.
|
| 4733861 | Mar., 1988 | Plunkett, III.
| |
| 5141223 | Aug., 1992 | Block.
| |
| 5362295 | Nov., 1994 | Nurge.
| |
| 5484366 | Jan., 1996 | Wilkinson | 482/124.
|
| 5518480 | May., 1996 | Frappier.
| |
Primary Examiner: Reichard; Lynne A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oltman, Flynn & Kubler
Claims
I claim:
1. A walking exercise apparatus for effectively exercising back, abdominal,
chest, shoulders, arms, buttocks and leg muscles, the apparatus
comprising:
a belt for attaching about the waist of a user;
a first elastic cord having a first end attached to a side of the belt, and
a second end;
a second elastic cord having a first end attached to another side of the
belt, and a second end; and
a first weight sized for a user's left hand attached to the second end of
the first elastic cord;
a second weight sized for a user's right hand attached to the second end of
the second elastic cord,
wherein user alternates swinging the first weight and second weight forward
and backward while walking; and
first and second weight covers receiving said first and second weights and
attached respectively to said second ends of said first and second elastic
cords, said weight covers having hollow interiors for inserting said
weights.
2. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the belt includes:
a neoprene rubber belt having a nylon surface; and
hook and loop fasteners for attaching ends of the belt about the user's
waist.
3. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the belt includes:
a width of approximately 4 inches;
a thickness of approximately 1/4 inches.
4. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the belt includes:
a first pair of O-rings for being attached to the left side of the belt for
connecting the belt to the first elastic cord; and
a second pair of O-rings for being attached to the right side of the belt
for connecting the belt to the second elastic cord.
5. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:
a third pair of O-rings for attaching the first elastic cord to the first
weight; and
a fourth pair of O-rings for attaching the second elastic cord to the
second weight.
6. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a first removable neoprene rubber housing for the first weight; and
a second removable neoprene rubber housing for the second weight.
7. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:
a first flap cover having fasteners for fastening to mateable fasteners on
the first neoprene rubber housing; and
a second flap cover having fasteners for fastening to mateable fasteners on
the second neoprene rubber housing.
8. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:
a first cylindrical weight and a first tubular weight for fitting within
the first cylindrical weight forming first coaxial weights that fit inside
the first neoprene rubber housing; and
a second cylindrical weight and a second tubular weight for fitting within
the first cylindrical weight forming second coaxial weights that fit
inside the second neoprene rubber housing.
9. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first elastic
cord and the second elastic cord each includes:
a latex hose having an inner diameter of approximately 3/16 inches, an
outer diameter of approximately 3/8 inches and a length of approximately
16 inches.
10. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first weight and
the second weight each includes:
a cylindrical housing having an enlarged end cap at one end and through
holes on a second end for having outer ends of the elastic cord to
inserted therein.
11. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first weight
and the second weight each includes:
a first cylindrical weight and a first tubular weight for fitting within
the first cylindrical weight forming first coaxial weights that fit inside
the cylindrical housing.
12. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first weight
and the second weight each includes:
outside diameters of approximately 6-7 inches long and a diameter of
approximately 1 inch.
13. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first weight
and the second weight each includes:
a first cylindrical weight of approximately 1 pound; and
a second cylindrical weight of approximately 2 pounds, wherein the first
and the second cylindrical weights having substantially similar outside
dimensions.
14. A walking exercise apparatus for effectively exercising back,
abdominal, chest, shoulders, arms, buttocks and leg muscles, the apparatus
comprising:
an elastic belt for attaching about waist of a user;
a first elastic cord having a first end attached to a side of the belt, and
a second end;
a second elastic cord having a first end attached to another side of the
belt, and a second end; and
a first cylindrical flexible weight cover sized for a user's left hand
attached to the second end of the first elastic cord;
a first weight insertable and removable from the first flexible weight
cover;
a second cylindrical flexible weight cover sized for a user's right hand
attached to the second end of the second elastic cord;
a second weight insertable and removable from the second flexible weight
cover, wherein a user alternates swinging the first weight and second
weight within their respective cover, forward and backward while walking.
15. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and the
second flexible weight covers each include:
an attachable and detachable flap cover.
16. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and the
second weights each include:
a substantially cylindrical hollow weight of approximately 1 lb.
17. The walking exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and the
second weights each include:
a substantially cylindrical hollow weight of approximately 2 lbs.
Description
This invention relates to an exercise device, and in particular to a belt
having protruding elastic bands that are connected to hand weights which
allows the user to exercise their back, abdominal, chest, shoulders, arms,
hands, buttocks and leg muscles while walking.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Various types of exercise devices including belts and jump ropes have been
proposed. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,707 to Bosch; U.S. Pat. No.
4,647,037 to Donohue; U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,122 to Desmond et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 4,733,861 to Plunkett, III; U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,223 to Block; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,362,295 to Nurge; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,480 to Frappier.
However, none of the cited prior art devices adequately and efficiently
allow the user to exercise their back, abdominal, chest, shoulders, arms,
hands, buttocks and leg muscles while walking.
Thus, the need exists for improvements over the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The first objective of the present invention is to provide an exercise
device which allows the user to effectively exercise back, abdominal,
chest, shoulders, arms, buttocks, and leg muscles while walking.
The second object of this invention is to provide a portable waist
attachment exercise device for allowing users to carry weights in their
hands while walking.
The third object of this invention is to provide a portable waist
attachment exercise device that gives adequate back support to the wearer
while walking with hand weights.
The fourth object of this invention is to provide a portable waist
attachment exercise device that allows persons regardless of age or weight
to effectively exercise their whole body simply by walking and using
attached weights.
Three preferred embodiments are disclosed of a walking exercise apparatus
for effectively exercising back, abdominal, chest, shoulders, arms,
buttocks and leg muscles. The first embodiment includes a belt for
attaching about a user's waist, a first elastic cord attaches a left side
of the belt to a first weight sized for a user's left hand, a second
elastic cord attaches a fight side of the belt to a second weight sized
for a user's right hand, wherein a user alternates swinging the first
weight and second weight forward and backward while walking. The belt can
be a neoprene rubber belt having a nylon surface with hook and loop
fasteners for attaching ends of the belt about the user's waist. The belt
can have a width of approximately 4 inches and a thickness of
approximately 1/4 inches. A first pair of O-rings attaches the left side
of the belt to the first elastic cord, and a second pair of O-rings
attaches the right side of the belt to the second elastic cord. A third
pair of O-rings attaches the first elastic cord to the first weight, and a
fourth pair of O-rings attaches the second elastic cord to the second
weight. First and second removable neoprene rubber housings are used about
the first and second weights. Each housing can have flap covers with hook
and loop fasteners thereon. Cylindrical weights with tubular weights
therein form coaxial weights that fit inside the housings. Each cord
includes a latex hose having an inner diameter of approximately 3/16
inches, an outer diameter of approximately 3/8 inches and a length of
approximately 16 inches.
The second preferred embodiment includes a cylindrical housing having an
enlarged end cap at one end and through holes on a second end for having
outer ends of the elastic cord to inserted therein.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the
following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which
is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the exercise
belt with attached weights.
FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the O rings used for attaching to the
weights of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of the concentric weights used in the
embodiment of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1D is an enlarged view of the belt and attached O-rings of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1E is an enlarged view of the flexible cover used for the weights of
FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2A is a side view of a preferred use of the embodiment of FIG. 1A with
a user.
FIG. 2B is a front view of the embodiment user of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the
exercise belt with attached weights.
FIG. 3B is a side view of a preferred use of the embodiment of FIG. 3A with
a user.
FIG. 3C is a front view of the embodiment user of FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of a
belt, cord and attached weight holder cover.
FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of 2 lb weight that can fit within the weight
holder cover of FIG. 4.
FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a 1 lb weight that can fit within the weight
holder cover of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in
detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the
invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used
herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment 10 of the exercise
belt 12 with attached weights 100. Belt 12 can be approximately 4 inches
wide by 1/4 inches thickness formed from a neoprene foam rubber having a
stretch nylon surface. Flap ends 14 and 16 can include fasteners such as
hook and loop fasteners(i.e. Velcro.RTM.), snaps, buckles and the like,
for securing the belt 12 about the weight of a user shown in greater
detail in reference to FIGS. 2A-2B.
FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the O rings 50, 60 each having diameters of
approximately 11/2 inches are used for attaching to the weights 100 and
100' of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of the concentric weights
110, 120 used in the embodiment 10 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D is an enlarged view
of the belt 12 and attached O-rings 50, 60 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1E is an
enlarged view of the flexible cover 130 used for the weights 100 of FIG.
1A.
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, 2 metal O-rings 50, 60 can be secured to opposite
exterior sides of belt 12 by a neoprene flap 20 which can be sewn 25 onto
the belt 12. Elastic bands 90 and 90' are formed from a latex rubber hose
that can have an inner diameter of approximately 3/16 inches and an outer
diameter of approximately 3/8 inches, and a length of approximately 16
inches long. Bands 90 and 90' and weights 100, 100' have identical
components so that only the components of band 90 and weight 100 will be
described. Band 90 has one end 92 tied to the belt 12 by O-rings 50, 60.
The opposite end of bands 90 can be tied to O-rings 150, 160. Each of the
metal O-rings 50, 60, 150, 160 can be approximately 5/8 inches in
diameter. O-rings 150, 160 can be sewn into a bottom portion 135 of
neoprene rubber cover flap 130. Weights 110 and 120 can be lead weights of
approximately 1 lb apiece, where cylindrical weight 120 can fit inside and
be coaxial to tubular weight 110. The weights 110, 120 individually or
together can fit inside cover 130 and held in place by a flap 140 that
attaches to a top portion of cover 130 by mating fasteners 145 such as
hook and loop fasteners (Velcro(.RTM.) and the like.
FIG. 2A is a side view of a preferred use of the embodiment 200 of FIG. 1A
with a user 205. FIG. 2B is a front view of the embodiment user 200 of
FIG. 2A. Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, belt 12 is worn around waist 250 of
user 205. The length of bands 90, 90' can be adjusted by holding the
weights 100, 100' along the user's side as depicted in FIG. 2B, and tieing
the weights at those locations to their respective O-rings 50, 60, 150,
160, respectively as depicted in FIGS. 1A-1E. Thus, the user can reduce
the amount of slack in bands 90, 90' accordingly. FIG. 2A depicts the user
205 moving the weights in an alternating swinging arm motion along arrows
X and Y. A user 205 having a large arm swing can adjust the bands 90, 90'
to allow a greater slack length. Users can swing the weights 100, 100'
alternating one arm forward and one arm backward while walking at a pace
of approximately 2.5 to 4 miles per hour.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment 300 of the
exercise belt 312 with attached weights 400, 400'. FIG. 3B is a side view
of a preferred use of the embodiment 300 of FIG. 3A with a user 305. FIG.
3C is a front view of the embodiment user 305 of FIG. 3A. Referring to
FIGS. 3A-3C, belt 312 and bands 390, 390' correspond to like components 12
and 90, 90' described in the previous figures. Weights 400, 400' can be
cylindrically shaped formed of soft plastic having approximately 11/4 inch
outside diameter, approximately 11/8 inch inner diameter and a length of
approximately 61/2 to approximately 7 inches long. One end of cylinder 400
can include an enlarged diameter screw-on cap 420, 420' and the other end
can contain up to approximately 4 through-holes each having a diameter of
approximately 3/8 of an inch. Lead weights such as those described in
reference to FIG. 1C can be inserted inside cylinders 400, 400'. The
cylinders 400, 400' are sized to fit within a user's hands. One end of
each band 390, 390' can be attached to belt 312 by looped and tied through
a sewn on nylon rubber flap 320, 320', the other end of band 390, 390' can
be inserted in and out of the through-holes 410, 410' in a manner similar
to shoelaces. User 305 can adjust the length of bands 390, 390' by pulling
band ends through the holes 410, 410'. The rest of embodiment 300 of FIGS.
3A-3C operates similar to the embodiment described in reference to FIGS.
1A-1E, 2B, and 2C.
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, 2B, 2C, 3A-3C, the handweights 100, 100' function
to exercise upper body muscles of the user 205. Hand weights 100, 100'
further stretch the elastic bands 90, 90' sending the whole upper body of
the user 205 in the opposite direction much smoother and faster, thereby
reducing the strain on the shoulders and back and also thereby making the
movement of the lower body(legs) easier and faster. The handweights 100,
100' add weight to the upper body, especially during the upper body swing
while walking. Thereby functioning to balance the weight of the upper body
with the heavier lower body and thereby causing both the upper body and
lower body to synchronize with each other.
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, 2B, 2C, 3A-3C, the elastic bands 90, 90' connect
the weights 100, 100' to the belt 12, which enables the user's upper body
to move in a synchronized motion. The elastic bands 90, 90' also function
to limit the arm swing forward and back therefore allowing all of the
upper body to swing the hand weights 100, 100'. The elastic function of
the belt 12 is to minimize any jerking that may be caused by the swinging
of the weights 100, 100' along with giving the user some back support
during a walking exercise.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a third preferred embodiment 500.
FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of 2 lb weight 610 with a narrow tubular
hollow opening 615 there-through, that can fit within the weight holder
cover 530 of FIG. 4. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a 1 lb weight 620
having a larger hollow diameter 625 than the preceding FIG. 5A weight,
that can fit within the weight holder cover 530 of FIG. 4. Referring to
FIGS. 5A-5B, each of the weights 610, 620 can have similar outside
cylindrical dimensions of approximately 6-7 inches long with an outside
diameter of approximately 1 inch. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5A-5B,
embodiment 500 includes a neoprene rubber belt 512 having neoprene rubber
flaps 520 that are sewn at their ends 525 to the belt 512 with a 11/2 inch
metal O-ring connected between the flaps 520. One bent end 591 of a latex
elastic cord 590 is connected to O-ring 550 by a pair of compressed 1/2
inch metal O-rings 592. A second end 595 of cord 590 is bent around 1 inch
metal O-ring 570 and held in place by another pair of compressed 1/2 inch
metal O-rings 594. O-ring 570 is further attached to a neoprene rubber
weight cover 530 by a pair of neoprene rubber flaps 580 sewn at their ends
585 to cover 530. A flap cover 535 having fasteners 537 such as hook/loop
fasteners, snapable fasteners, and the like can be used to hold either of
the weights 610(FIG. 5A) and 620(FIG. 5B) there within. Although the
embodiment 500 describes using metal O-rings, other types of O-rings such
as but not limited to neoprene rubber O-rings can be used.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in
various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has
presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be,
nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other
modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein
are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and
scope of the claims here appended.
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